South Africa

In South Africa's Western Cape, a heavy downpour over the weekend resulted in a tragic incident where eight people, including four children, lost their lives due to electrical shock in the region's impoverished townships. The victims resided in informal settlements, where homes are often perilously connected to existing power lines to access electricity. The children lost their lives in Klipfontein settlement, while the remaining four victims met their end in Driftsands, a nature reserve that has been a refuge for thousands since 2020.Housing Crisis Amidst Population BoomThe rapid growth in population and urban expansion in South Africa have resulted in approximately 11% of its people living in informal dwellings, according to a 2021 survey conducted by Statistics South Africa. The percentage is even higher in cities like Johannesburg (17.3%) and Cape Town (16.6%), and these figures have surged in...

President Ramaphosa Approves Special Investigating Unit's Probe into Alleged Mismanagement President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has given the go-ahead for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works project. This move is part of the government's ongoing commitment to combat corruption and mismanagement in public projects. Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works Project Under Scrutiny The Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works project, situated north of Pretoria, has been under investigation due to allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The resulting pollution of the Apies River has not only caused significant environmental damage but also poses a potential health risk to communities living downstream. The project has been the subject of complaints for years, with local residents and environmentalists voicing concerns about...